Newcastle are watching developments closely and fancy taking Ba with West Ham also keen – but both will be quoted the sky-high loan fee.

Signed from Toon for £7m in January, striker Ba is the most likely departure from Chelsea before the window shuts but if £3m is a ­stumbling block, Newcastle will firm up their interest in Lyon’s Bafetimbi Gomis.

Southampton have joined West Brom, Liverpool and Crystal Palace in the battle to sign Chelsea winger Victor Moses on loan.

Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino, who has already spoken to Jose Mourinho about the former Wigan ace, said: “We are keeping an eye on what happens in the market before the window closes.

“We are not specifically looking at any one position but all teams expect perhaps to add one more player to improve the squad.”